O

n Nov. 10, the Jewish Federations of North 
America (JFNA) and the Conference of 
Presidents of Major American Jewish 
Organizations hosted “Stand Together — An Event of 
Unity, Strength and Resilience” at Nationals Park in 
Washington, D.C. 
Stand Together brought together thousands of 
Jewish Americans and allies of all ages from more 
than 220 Jewish organizations from across the coun-
try. There were also tens of thousands of viewers who 
joined the livestream. This event was an opportunity 
to reaffirm Jewish strength as a community, to stand 
together against hate and antisemitism, while stand-
ing with Israel and the hostages in Gaza. 
The program was emceed by award-winning 
actress Tiffany Haddish and featured entertainment 
and speakers calling for unity in the aftermath of the 
Oct. 7 attacks. 
Speakers included Michigan Gov. Gretchen 
Whitmer, bipartisan federal lawmakers Reps. Virginia 
Foxx and Ritchie Torres, Sen. Joni Ernst, Ambassadors 
Michael Herzog and Dan Shapiro, U.S. Olympic gold 
medalist Amit Elor, and musical acts the Idan Raichel 
Project and John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting. 
“We were proud to stand together in support of 
Israel, in defense of the hostages, against antisemitism 
and in thanks to the incredible backing of the United 
States,
” JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut said. “Time and 

time again, our history has taught us that only when 
we are united are we strong enough to survive, grow 
and flourish, and today has given me incredible hope 
for the future.
” 
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke at the event: “This 
bipartisan presence here is a testament to some fun-
damental truths: We stand with the people of Israel; 
we share their pain; we are committed to their safety, 
and we will never forget the horrors of Oct. 7.
“We stand against the scourge of antisemitism, and 
we will fight back against this ancient horse, wherever 
it rears its ugly head. We stand for a more inclusive, 
tolerant future, where people from all walks of life can 
thrive.
”
 U.S Ambassador to Israel Michael Herzog said, 
“We can never, not for one moment, forget the 101 
hostages who are still held in captivity.
” 
Relatives of Israeli hostages also spoke to the 
thousands in attendance. Yarden Gonen, the sister 
of hostage Romi Gonen, spoke as chants of “bring 
them home” and “you’re not alone” rang out from the 
audience. 
Arlyn Riskind, who attended the University of 
Michigan, grew up in Columbus and lives in the D.C. 
metro area, was there. Riskind has been involved 
in Jewish communal service from a young age and 
is currently on the American Jewish Committee’s 
regional board. 

Riskind was at the massive March for Israel rally in 
November 2023 on the National Mall in D.C. 
“I’ve been standing with Israel and working to 
fight antisemitism my whole life. I’m here because 
where else would I be? It’s so important for us to have 
opportunities to stand together and to not feel alone. 
Everybody’s mishpachah here; everyone’s family,
” 
Riskind said. 
Stand Together took place a little over a year after 
Oct. 7, but also just days after the attacks on Israeli 
soccer fans in Amsterdam.
“Watching the pogrom in Amsterdam was just 
incomprehensible,
” Riskind said. “My niece and neph-
ew are in town this weekend, and my niece wanted 
to go to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. So 
that’s how I spent the day before the 87th anniversary 
of Kristallnacht, and then Amsterdam happened. So, 
I actually was really looking forward to this Stand 
Together event — it’s definitely cathartic to be here.
“I’m hoping people come away feeling more 
empowered to stand up for being a Jew and not to 
hide, because I feel that so many people are afraid,
” 
Riskind added. “You can’t be afraid of who you are.
”

JEWISH DETROIT STANDS TOGETHER 
The Stand Together rally marked the opening of this 
year’s JFNA General Assembly, an annual conference 
that brings together Jewish leaders and community 

24 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2024 
J
N

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer poses 
with the Jewish Detroit delegation at 
the Stand Together event.
OUR COMMUNITY

Michigan Gov. Gretchen 
Whitmer speaks at the 
Stand Together event 
in Washington, D.C.

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

The Stand Together event brought together thousands of Jewish Americans and 
allies of all ages from more than 220 Jewish organizations from across the country.
‘Stand Together’

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